From left: CloudSmiths' Senior Data Engineer Jenny Wrench, Salesforce Developer Kendra Riddle, and Data Engineer Neha Jha
As a Dynamic Technologies group company, CloudSmiths has always valued diversity. When it comes to employees, the mandate is to fill positions with the most talented, passionate, and dedicated people. With the developers field still hugely male dominated (data gathered from a global software survey conducted in 2022 showed that gender distribution of software developers is 91.88% male and 5% female), CloudSmiths has truly diverse developer teams that include some of the most skilled and dynamic women in the industry. Senior Data Engineer Jenny Wrench, Salesforce Developer Kendra Riddle, and Data Engineer Neha Jha are three such dynamic professionals.
Jenny Wrench, Senior Data Engineer/Team Lead, deals in all things data. From source to destination, transforming it, moving it, building warehouses, and playing with it to generate insights and conclusions, her job is to lead her teams to deliver whatever the client requires. Jenny’s journey into IT started with her father. She says, “I have always loved Maths, and I have my dad to thank for that. At a very young age he showed me the Fibonacci sequence and I would write out pages and pages of it.” Jenny went on to study pure maths, but soon switched her major to a fascinating subject called Operations Research. Although very similar to Data Science, that term had not yet been officially coined. After starting her career in analytics, Jenny organically found herself doing work that she would later learn was called ‘data engineering’. From there she moved to DotModus – now CloudSmiths – where, she says, “I have been so fortunate to be exposed to many new platforms, technologies, and most especially the cloud.”
Salesforce Developer Kendra Riddle is a full-stack developer on the Salesforce platform. She arrived at CloudSmiths three years ago, after studying a BScIT at University. For Kendra, being a woman in the tech field, and specifically a developer, means a lot. She knows she is one of the very few female developers in the industry, and this is a source of pride for her. She says, “When I reflect on the recent history of women in our industry, I feel like there is a responsibility that comes with being here. Ironically, I feel like I can fill so much more space in the room. It’s awesome, it’s challenging, and it’s empowering.”
Traditionally speaking. the tech field has been particularly male dominated. “When I first started out there was a lot more prejudice against women, especially as I was young but knew my own mind,” explains Jenny. “People would assume I didn't know what I was talking about or try to ‘show me how to do things the right way’. I had to keep proving myself wherever I went. But the world has thankfully moved along quite a lot and although there are still people who will dismiss you, there are many wonderful companies and people who don't. Although women (especially older women) developers are scarce, I can see that trend changing, and it gives me hope for the coming generations. I am particularly happy that my daughter says she would like to be just like me and is thriving in her coding lessons.”
As a Data Engineer, Neha Jha is responsible for data ingestion, data storage, data processing and data management. She develops code to automate data pipelines and ensure data accuracy, completeness, and consistency. After gaining her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Application (BCA), Neha started as a Hadoop Developer, acquiring expertise on big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, and Hive, and improving her skills in developing scalable and efficient data pipelines. She transitioned to a data engineer role by focusing on developing skills in data modelling, data architecture, data storage, and data processing.
Neha believes that being a woman in the technology industry can be a unique and rewarding experience. It can mean having the opportunity to work on innovative projects, using cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems, and being part of a community of like-minded individuals. “As the industry continues to grow and evolve,” she says, “Women are increasingly making their mark and helping to shape its future. Ultimately, the meaning of being a woman in technology will vary from person to person, but it is an exciting and dynamic field with endless possibilities.”
For Jenny, the biggest challenge for woman in tech is still the wage gap. “We should be remunerated according to our skills, seniority and capabilities – if someone is in a less senior position possessing fewer skills than your own, but is earning more than you – it’s disheartening to say the least. She adds, “It’s fantastic be at a company that has an inclusive culture and appreciates me for who I am.”
Certain stereotypes remain prevalent in this space, although things are beginning to progress positively. Kendra says, “In my final year I was told to focus on documentation at one point and this was just so frustrating to me.” Happily, for Kendra, at CloudSmiths she met many like-minded individuals, both male and female, and has found the working world to be a much more positive experience.
Kendra believes that joining CloudSmiths gave her a new perspective. She explains, “I’ve been so fortunate to be able to work with many diverse men and women who have been supportive and allowed me to create my own success. I have always been encouraged and given opportunities.”
For Neha, change is taking place. “As more women enter the field and make their presence known, stereotypes are being challenged and changed. The technology industry is evolving, and the role of women in shaping its future is becoming increasingly important.” She says, “Companies are becoming more aware of the need to address gender bias in the workplace, and steps are being taken to eliminate it. This includes more inclusive hiring practices, mentorship programmes for women, and more opportunities for advancement.” She’s also seen an increasing number of women in leadership positions, creating the role models that young women in the industry need.
Being part of a team of female developers has its benefits. For Jenny, it’s also about the different perspective and approach that women bring to problem-solving. She says, “I feel we bring a more empathetic perspective to the table. We tend to be more willing to listen to others and their viewpoints and are happy to learn from them. We are more flexible in finding solutions.” For Kendra, women bring a certain resilience to the table.
The opportunities presented by this field are also numerous. Neha says, “The tech industry has a strong community, with a number of organisations and events focused on promoting diversity and inclusion. She adds, “Technology has the potential to make a positive impact on the world, and working in tech provides the opportunity to work on projects that can make a difference.”
Jenny is a strong advocate for young women looking to enter the tech and IT field. Early in her career she was exposed to some powerful women in leadership roles and watching how they navigated prejudices was a formative experience. She says, “My advice is to find some good female role models and, if you can, get one of them to become a mentor.” She adds, “Don't let anyone dull your shine. Be who you are, wholeheartedly. Don't bend to conventions of what you should be. That is thankfully easier in the tech field, where quirky characters are accepted and almost the norm.”
Neha’s advice is simple yet powerful. She says, “Embrace your skills and interests. There is a wide range of roles and specialties within the tech field, so find the areas that you are passionate about and that align with your skills and interests.” She adds, “Networking and building relationships within the tech community is important for career growth and development. Be confident in your abilities and remember that you have valuable skills and experiences to bring to the table.”
Kendra says, “I work hard, I’m passionate, but I also have a lot of fun because I love what I do. I’ve known women who wanted to be developers, but the male to female ratio made it seem like a daunting prospect. I would tell any woman thinking of entering this industry to believe in yourself - you’re deserving, you’re capable!”